Trader Joe's has a decent selection of holiday desserts and beverages from around the world. Its Hanukkah pickings were slim, however. We spotted these gold-wrapped coins, otherwise known as "gelt," which are used as rewards in games of dreidel.

Trader Joe's has a decent selection of holiday desserts and beverages from around the world. Its Hanukkah pickings were slim, however. We spotted these gold-wrapped coins, otherwise known as "gelt," which are

The Target off Mission Street in San Francisco had an expansive holiday selection in 2017, including an entire section devoted to holiday-themed clothing. We found only one Hanukkah sartorial choice ... this menorah-covered mini dress.

The Target off Mission Street in San Francisco had an expansive holiday selection in 2017, including an entire section devoted to holiday-themed clothing. We found only one Hanukkah sartorial choice ... this

The Target off Mission Street in San Francisco had an expansive...photo-14668992.121533 - |ucfirst

The few shelves devoted to Hanukkah at the Mission Street Target were disappointingly picked-over. Thank goodness a few dancing-and-singing "Mensch on Bench" toys remained.

The few shelves devoted to Hanukkah at the Mission Street Target were disappointingly picked-over. Thank goodness a few dancing-and-singing "Mensch on Bench" toys remained.

Photo: Michelle Robertson/SFGATE

The few shelves devoted to Hanukkah at the Mission Street Target...photo-14668996.121533 - |ucfirst

We weren't totally sure if this was meant for Hanukkah, but in a pinch, a blue tinsel tree makes a fine Hanukkah bush.

We weren't totally sure if this was meant for Hanukkah, but in a pinch, a blue tinsel tree makes a fine Hanukkah bush.

Photo: Michelle Robertson/SFGATE

We weren't totally sure if this was meant for Hanukkah, but...photo-14668998.121533 - |ucfirst

This Hanukkah display we saw in 2015 at the Target in Albany has a few nice Hanukkah items at the top, but then things start to get a little interesting. This shelf apparently plays into the association of Judaism and chicken soup — often jokingly called "Jewish Penicillin" with some random Lipton noodle soup mix. The matzo ball mix is something regularly consumed during Passover, a Jewish holiday in the spring. There's also some random butternut squash soup. (This is weird because typical things you eat during Hanukkah are latkes and sufganiyot, aka jelly doughnuts.)

We're happy to report this specific Target's Hanukkah section was remarkably a couple years later, and we have the photos to prove it.

This Hanukkah display we saw in 2015 at the Target in Albany has a few nice Hanukkah items at the top, but then things start to get a little interesting. This shelf apparently plays into the association of

The Hanukkah section at the Albany Target, which was one of the most awkward we saw in the Bay Area, has fully redeemed itself in 2017, complete with multiple shelfs including basics like Hanukkah cards, dreidels, menorahs and Hanukkah candles. The "section" also included items such as wine glasses and blue and white decorative candles. One item we've seen at a few different Targets this year that might be a head-scratcher for non-Jews ...

The Hanukkah section at the Albany Target, which was one of the most awkward we saw in the Bay Area, has fully redeemed itself in 2017, complete with multiple shelfs including basics like Hanukkah cards,

Hanukkah items on display at a Cost Plus in Concord in 2017. photo-14621717.121533 - |ucfirst

SFGATE reader Sheila Marx sent us this photo of a truly hilarious "Hanukkah section" in Oregon. "We are recent transplants from the SF Bay Area to Springfield, Oregon. I went to the local Safeway looking for some Hannukah candles and had to laugh at this combination...it was all they had!"

Nothing for Hanukkah, just matzo (something you eat for Passover) placed next to one of the most unkosher items possible — pigs feet! Ouch.

SFGATE reader Sheila Marx sent us this photo of a truly hilarious "Hanukkah section" in Oregon. "We are recent transplants from the SF Bay Area to Springfield, Oregon. I went to the local Safeway looking for ... more

SFGATE reader Sheila Marx sent us this photo of a truly hilarious...photo-12099026.121533 - |ucfirst

On the other side of the Hanukkah-display spectrum, Paper Plus in Berkeley, a party supply store, typically has an incredible Hanukkah assortment. Here's just a small part of the entire aisle that is packed full of Hanukkah toys, crafts and supplies. Photo taken on Dec. 21, 2016.

On the other side of the Hanukkah-display spectrum, Paper Plus in Berkeley, a party supply store, typically has an incredible Hanukkah assortment. Here's just a small part of the entire aisle that is packed

On the other side of the Hanukkah-display spectrum, Paper Plus in...photo-12097403.121533 - |ucfirst

The Cost Plus in Corte Madera has generally had a strong selection of Hanukkah items. When we visited on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, the section was, per usual, located away from the large central Christmas section of the story, tucked away in the back of the store in the furniture section. There were some misplaced Christmas items placed at the other end of the table housing the Festival of Lights merchandise. It's unclear if this "clearance section" sign included the Hanukkah stuff.

The Cost Plus in Corte Madera has generally had a strong selection of Hanukkah items. When we visited on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, the section was, per usual, located away from the large central Christmas section

A few years ago we were disappointed with part of the Hanukkah section at the Bed, Bath & Beyond in Larkspur. Several items were for Passover - a Jewish holiday celebrated in the spring. While one of our colleagues pointed out that Passover items could be a good Hanukkah gift, we still would rather see more topical Hanukkah items in a section. When we visited on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, it seemed like they stepped it up a notch. We couldn't believe how much Hanukkah stuff they had in their display, which also happened to be located at the front of the store. A Hanukkah section rarity!

A few years ago we were disappointed with part of the Hanukkah section at the Bed, Bath & Beyond in Larkspur. Several items were for Passover - a Jewish holiday celebrated in the spring. While one of our

Tons of dreidels, Hanukkah wrapping paper and even what appears to...photo-12079423.121533 - |ucfirst

The Crate & Barrel outlet in Berkeley had a simple nod to Hanukkah with the tiniest collection of Hanukkah themed items, seen here on this little display on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016. Simple and sweet, we suppose?

The Crate & Barrel outlet in Berkeley had a simple nod to Hanukkah with the tiniest collection of Hanukkah themed items, seen here on this little display on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016. Simple and sweet, we

We found one out-of-place item at Market Hall Foods, chocolate...photo-12074380.121533 - |ucfirst

But Market Hall Foods in Berkeley had an otherwise impressive selection of Hanukkah treats and items on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016.

But Market Hall Foods in Berkeley had an otherwise impressive selection of Hanukkah treats and items on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016.

Photo: Andrea Behr/Chronicle

But Market Hall Foods in Berkeley had an otherwise impressive...photo-12074379.121533 - |ucfirst

But Market Hall Foods also had quite a few cool Hanukkah items.

But Market Hall Foods also had quite a few cool Hanukkah items.

Photo: Andrea Behr/Chronicle

But Market Hall Foods also had quite a few cool Hanukkah items. photo-12074376.121533 - |ucfirst

This Hanukkah shelf we saw at a Whole Foods in San Rafael in 2015 has some misses. It has Hanukkah necessities, including a menorah, candles and lots and lots of oil (Hanukkah is about a miracle of oil and you cook delicious Hanukkah latkes in oil). Other items, such as a bunch of kosher salt and chicken broth (not pictured) are a bit of a stretch, but still Jewish. However, the assorted blue and silver-packaged Belgian chocolates and the random "gravy" marker? Not related.

This Hanukkah shelf we saw at a Whole Foods in San Rafael in 2015 has some misses. It has Hanukkah necessities, including a menorah, candles and lots and lots of oil (Hanukkah is about a miracle of oil and you

This Bed Bath & Beyond display, spotted in 2014 in Irvine, appears to just be trying to turn Hanukkah into Christmas. There are stockings, a gingerbread house and apparent Christmas tree ornaments in the shape of the Star of David, a modern symbol of Judaism.

This Bed Bath & Beyond display, spotted in 2014 in Irvine, appears to just be trying to turn Hanukkah into Christmas. There are stockings, a gingerbread house and apparent Christmas tree ornaments in the

Here's a closer look at that ornament, this one seen in a Bed, Bath and Beyond in Corte Madera on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. Everyone knows Christmas trees are typically a Christmas thing, right?

Here's a closer look at that ornament, this one seen in a Bed, Bath and Beyond in Corte Madera on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. Everyone knows Christmas trees are typically a Christmas thing, right?

Photo: Jessica Mullins

Here's a closer look at that ornament, this one seen...photo-9074333.121533 - |ucfirst

And, even worse, here's a Hanukkah "Tree Topper," complete with words printed in Christmas colors, photographed at a Bed, Bath and Beyond in Corte Madera on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. But perhaps this could be appealing for families that celebrate both holidays ... less

And, even worse, here's a Hanukkah "Tree Topper," complete with words printed in Christmas colors, photographed at a Bed, Bath and Beyond in Corte Madera on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. But perhaps this could be ... more

Here's another example of a the common Hanukkah section faux paus of including items for unrelated Jewish holidays, such as this Passover seder plate photographed at the Bed, Bath and Beyond in Corte Madera on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. less

Here's another example of a the common Hanukkah section faux paus of including items for unrelated Jewish holidays, such as this Passover seder plate photographed at the Bed, Bath and Beyond in Corte ... more

Photo: Jessica Mullins

Here's another example of a the common Hanukkah section faux...photo-9074334.121533 - |ucfirst

At the top of the Bristol Farms Hanukkah display are bottles of Baci Italian chocolates, in front of another Hanukkah gingerbread house.

At the top of the Bristol Farms Hanukkah display are bottles of Baci Italian chocolates, in front of another Hanukkah gingerbread house.

Photo: Jessica Mullins, SFGATE

At the top of the Bristol Farms Hanukkah display are bottles of...photo-9056697.121533 - |ucfirst

Here's a better shot of the Hanukkah house. Another attempt to make Hanukkah more like Christmas?

Here's a better shot of the Hanukkah house. Another attempt to make Hanukkah more like Christmas?

Photo: Jessica Mullins, SFGATE

Here's a better shot of the Hanukkah house. Another attempt...photo-9056704.121533 - |ucfirst

More blue-packaged Belgian chocolates were spotted at this Cost Plus in Corte Madera, near bottles of the sweet kosher wine Manischewitz, which is at least a Jewish product.

More blue-packaged Belgian chocolates were spotted at this Cost Plus in Corte Madera, near bottles of the sweet kosher wine Manischewitz, which is at least a Jewish product.

Photo: Jessica Mullins

More blue-packaged Belgian chocolates were spotted at this Cost...photo-9074317.121533 - |ucfirst

Cost Plus, which can be one of the better stores for stocking up on Hanukkah candles in the Bay Area, isn't innocent of pulling in a few random things, but generally has a stronger Hanukkah section, such as this one photographed in Oakland on Wednesday, December 2, 2015.

Cost Plus, which can be one of the better stores for stocking up on Hanukkah candles in the Bay Area, isn't innocent of pulling in a few random things, but generally has a stronger Hanukkah section, such as

The Cole Hardware on Fourth Street in San Francisco had a respectable display on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015. Red bows are next to the shelf, but the rest of the store's Christmas section was not nearby. We typically see Hanukkah sections far from the Christmas merchandise, often in back corner of a shop.

The Cole Hardware on Fourth Street in San Francisco had a respectable display on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015. Red bows are next to the shelf, but the rest of the store's Christmas section was not nearby. We

We still can't get over how great the Paper Plus selection was last year. It even had obscure items like a "Chanukah" wood bead kit and a variety of dreidels, a spinning top you use to play a gambling game on Hanukkah.

We still can't get over how great the Paper Plus selection was last year. It even had obscure items like a "Chanukah" wood bead kit and a variety of dreidels, a spinning top you use to play a gambling game on